Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa steps out of retirement and back into the ring, putting himself against a new rival in a dramatically different era. After a virtual boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason "The Line" Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited. But when his desire to fight in small, regional competitions is trumped by promoters calling for a rematch of the cyber-fight, Balboa must weigh the mental and physical risks of a high profile exhibition match against his need to be in the ring.

Sylvester Stallone

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Rocky Balboa

Burt Young

Paulie

Milo Ventimiglia

Robert Balboa, Jr.

Antonio Tarver

Mason "The Line" Dixon

Geraldine Hughes

Marie

Tony Burton

Duke

James Francis Kelly, III

Steps

L.C.

Adrian

Himself

screenplay

Producer

Executive Producer

Producer

Executive Producer

Producer

Producer

Co-Producer

Producer

PETER TRAVERS - December 12, 2006

I expected to go all Scrooge on Sylvester Stallone's sixth round as Rocky Balboa, the Italian Stallion from Philly who boxed his way into popular and Oscar glory with the first and best Rocky in 1976. And make no mistake, there is much here to cringe at. Thirty years later, the sixty-year-old Stallone, as writer, director and star, has put himself back in the ring with a champ -- this time he's played by light-heavyweight Antonio Tarver. It's an exhibition match in Vegas, for charity, and…

More Reviews from Rolling Stone »

In the obligatory boxing terms, Balboa will K.O. your expectations, but that may only be because they're rightfully below the belt to begin with--and because this sixth installment is coming after the bell has already rung.

Story

It's been over a decade since Rocky "The Italian Stallion" Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) last set foot in a boxing ring. He still calls SoPhi home (that's South Philly), but just about everything else has changed: Adrian (Talia Shire) has died of cancer; his son Robert…